Tim McGraw, Jake Owen and Old Dominion Headline Country Summer Music Festival 2019

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Tim McGraw, Jake Owen and Old Dominion will headline the three-day Country Summer Music Festival in Santa Rosa, California on June 14-16.

Celebrating its sixth year in 2019, the festival features a total of 20 performers on the Chevy Silverado Stage and the Redwood Credit Union Stage, showcasing up-and-coming bands between main acts. In 2018, it attracted more than 30,000 fans from 38 states.

Tickets for the Country Summer Music Festival are available on countrysummer.com.

DISClaimer: Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Nathan Stanley With Patty Loveless, Mitchell Tenpenny Lead New Offerings

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Country music is alive and well.

Patty Loveless returns as the duet partner of Ralph Stanley’s grandson Nathan. Tim McGraw is issuing another heart-piercing song to play alongside “Neon Church.” Eric Church continues to reign as an absolutely stunning contributor to the genre. Newcomer Mitchell Tenpenny proves that he belongs in this stellar company with a drinking song that has some brains.

Any one of these could be a Disc of the Day awardee. Take your pick.

There’s no contest for the DisCovery Award. It belongs to former Lower Broadway performer and now Texas honky-tonk stalwart Chuck Shaw.

CHUCK SHAW/Burn That Oil
Writers: none listed; Producers: Dave Percefull; Publishers: none listed
-He has a penetrating country tenor with plenty of personality. The punchy tune is about burning the midnight oil and partying ‘til dawn, mixed with piquant profiles of friends and lovers gone by. The fiddle, harmonica and organ in the mix are all dandy.
Highly listenable.

TIM McGRAW/Thought About You
Writers: Lee Thomas Miller/Brett Warren/Brad Warren; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: none listed; Columbia/McGraw
-This man belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is yet another example of the heart and soul he puts into his work. It’s a brilliantly written song about love and reflection and the passage of time. Heart tugging. Moving. Awesome.

RAY SCOTT/Honky Tonk Heart
Writers: Ray Scott; Producer: Michael Hughes; Publisher: none listed; RS
– The autobiographical song is fine, and his vocal is solid, as usual. The muddy, garage-level production is an audio mess.

MAREN MORRIS/Girl
Writers: Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– Uplifting, positive-think, “girl power” lyrics.

KENT BLAZY/Where The Hell Did Music Row Go
Writer: Blazy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: I Want To Hold Your Songs, BMI; KB (track)
– Garth gave his sometime cowriter enough studio time that Blazy could record a whole album with his band. Titled Songwriter, it concludes with this jaunty, sing-along ditty about the loss of such landmarks as Combine Music and Fireside Studio in favor of condo construction. Timely and recommended listening.

NATHAN STANLEY & PATTY LOVELESS/All I Have to Offer You Is Me
Writers: A.L. Owens/Dallas Frazier; Producer: Nathan Stanley; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Acuff-Rose/UniChappell, BMI; TRT
– Sublime country harmonizing. This whole thing brims with hillbilly authenticity. Both vocalists shine in solo turns in the verses. Then they blow the lid off with Patty’s sensational Appalachian-harmony soar above Nathan’s lead on the choruses. The song is a bona fide country classic, thanks to Charley Pride’s immortal 1969 hit. You’ll find this new version on Nathan’s Controversial Man collection.

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Alcohol You Later
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Sam Sumser/Michael Lotten; Producers: Jordan Schmidt/Tenpenny; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Sam Sumser/Lava/Kobalt/Lucky Mic/Music of Parallel, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia/Riser House
– Superb. He manages the tricky feat of sounding solidly country with a totally contemporary production. The deep-thump track lies under his feathery vocal delivery of a lyric about a booze-soaked night that will lead to greater romantic things. I’m beginning to think this guy might be sprinkled with stardust.

ERIC CHURCH/Some Of It
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Clint Daniels/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Mammaw’s Friend Okra/Little LOuder/Songs of Kobalt/New Writers of Sea Gayle/Not a Track Guy/ClearBox Rights, BMI; EMI
– Life lessons delivered with eloquence and expression. Craftsmanship and heart in every note, from the lyric to the brain-tickling production touches. The guy is a country-music genius. Take this to No. 1.

KHALID & KANE BROWN/Saturday Nights
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Right Hand/RCA
– This is a remix of the pop star’s previously released, dreamy, meandering babbling. If country radio plays it, this genre has truly lost its way.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Lost In Japan
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– This is billed as a “Spotify Single,” which means they are still banking on “Miss Me More.” It’s a Shawn Mendes pop cover delivered in a breathy, dreamy tone.

Ronnie Milsap Celebrates 76th Birthday With A Heart-Warming Night At The Ryman

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Photo: Jason Kempin

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ronnie Milsap celebrated his 76 birthday Wednesday night (Jan. 16) at the Ryman Auditorium for a WSM Listener Appreciation show. The six-time Grammy winner’s newest record, Ronnie Milsap: The Duets, which features performances with George Strait, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kacey Musgraves and more, releases on Friday (Jan. 18). Last night’s Ryman show kicked off his 76 For 76 Tour.

With a six-piece band, Milsap led the audience down a memory lane of his 40 No. 1 hits, helmed by Milsap and his grand piano. Milsap came ready to party, opening with his rocking “Prisoner of the Highway.” Legendary WSM DJ Eddie Stubbs was on hand to introduce Milsap.

Not to neglect any one of his hits, Milsap went into a medley featuring “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World,” “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life,” “In Love,” “No Getting Over Me,” “Let’s Take The Long Way Around The World,” “She Keeps The Home Fires Burning,” and a few more, thrilling the audience with every transition.

He played full versions of fan-favorites like “What Goes On When The Sun Goes Down” and “Legend In My Time.” Milsap told stories of his journey through music in between songs. The crowd leaned in, silently, hanging on to every word he said.

Milsap brought a few guests to the stage for the special night. Little Big Town joined Milsap to perform their collaboration on the Duets album, “Lost in the Fifties Tonight.” The vocal band harmonized in the doo-wop style while Milsap’s band member wailed on the saxophone. Lucy Angel also joined him on stage to perform their appropriate Milsap tune from the album, “Happy Happy Birthday Baby.”

Little Big Town eventually rejoined Milsap with a birthday cake and led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to the legend.

“My team knows I don’t like surprises,” Milsap said after the show. “But when they’re surprises like Little Big Town, who sound like angels when they sing, coming out with a birthday cake, I can only think about what a blessed and lucky man I am. I’ve spent my life inside the music, and to make music with folks like Karin, Kimberly, Jimi and Phillip is the most wonderful thing in the world.”

Photo: Jason Kempin

“Ronnie, it’s Joe,” a voice called out, sending a smile to Milsap’s face. Esteemed former RCA Label Group/Sony Music Nashville Chief Joe Galante and the team that worked around Milsap during his time at RCA ventured out on stage with a plaque and presented it to Milsap for 40 million records sold. “Is that Mustang Sally?” Milsap said, referring to Sally Williams with a grin.

“It’s all because of you,” Milsap said of Galante. “Let’s get this right,” Galante interjected. “You cut all [these songs], all I did was help. I’ve had the privilege of working with you for almost 40 years and these songs are timeless and so is your performance.”

The love was reciprocated throughout the night from Milsap.

“He promoted my records along with Jerry Bradley,” Milsap said. “He burned the radio up! Joe Galante was there for me; and I appreciate you, Joe. You’re absolutely the best record man I’ve ever worked with.”

Milsap also took the time to gush about the songwriter who wrote 13 No. 1’s for him, Mike Reid. Some songs that Reid wrote for Milsap include: “Stranger In My House,” “In Love,” “Inside,” “Lost in the Fifties Tonight,” “She Keeps the Home Fires Burning,” “Show Her,” “Still Losing You,” and “Where Do the Nights Go.”

He was grateful to WSM, as well. “I’m addicted to the radio, you know,” Milsap said. “I listen to [WSM] all the time. I listen on Alexa! I sure do. That turns out to be my friend out on the road.”

Black River’s Abby Anderson got the evening started, opening the show with some new music.

Feeling grateful to open for the legend, Anderson admitted; “I’m being a 21 year old girl and crying. I’m sorry, it’s just an honor to be on this sacred stage playing for you beautiful people, opening for one of my musical heroes.” She later joined Milsap on stage to sing “Stand By Me.”

Milsap closed up the night the way he opened it: excited. He smiled as he covered The Rolling Stone’s “Honky Tonk Women” and said goodnight to his standing crowd.

Ronnie Milsap is truly ‘a legend in his time.’ Ronnie Milsap: The Duets  will be available tomorrow (Jan. 18).

Kacey Musgraves and Ronnie Milsap

Ronnie Milsap: The Duets Tracklisting:
1. Southern Boys and Detroit Wheels ft. Billy Gibbons
2. Stranger in My House ft. Luke Bryan
3. Smokey Mountain Rain ft. Dolly Parton
4. Prisoner of the Highway ft. Jason Aldean
5. A Woman’s Love ft. Willie Nelson
6. Happy Happy Birthday ft. Lucy Angel
7. No Getting Over Me ft. Kacey Musgraves
8. Lost in the Fifties ft. Little Big Town
9. Houston Solution ft. George Strait
10. What a Woman Can Mean to a Man ft. Jessie Key
11. Misery Loves Company ft. Leon Russell
12. You’re Nobody ft. Steven Curtis Chapman
13. Shakey Ground ft. Montgomery Gentry

 

Tickets for his 76 For 76 tour are available here.

Ronnie Milsap’s 76 for 76 Tour Dates:
January 17 – Mayetta, KS @ Prairie Band Casino & Resort Great Lakes Ballroom
January 18 – Stafford, TX @ The Redneck Country Club
January 19 – Bossier City, LA @ Horseshoe Bossier City The Riverdome
January 27 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Country Music Cruise 2019
January 28 – Key West, FL @ Country Music Cruise 2019
February 9 – Glasgow, KY @ Plaza Theatre
February 16 – Shelby, NC @ Malcolm Brown Auditorium
February 21 – Morgantown, WV @ Metropolitan Brown Auditorium
February 22 – Madisonville, KY @ Glema Mahr Center For the Arts
February 28 – Lexington, KY @ Opera House
March 1 – Lorain, OH @ Palace Theater
March 2 – Lancaster, PA @ American Music Theater
March 8 – Hinckley, MN @ Grand Casino Hinkley
March 9 – Lac De Flambeau, WI @ Lake of the Torches Casino
March 22 – St. Louis, MO @ River City Casino
March 24 – Austin, TX @ Travis County Expo Center
April 4 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre
April 5 – Beaumont, TX @ Jefferson Theatre
April 26 – Hopewell, VA @ The Beacon Theatre
April 27 – Cincinnati, OH @ JACK Casino Event Center
May 3 – Eustis, FL @ Lake County Fairgrounds Expo Center
May 10 – Quapaw, OK @ Downstream Casino Resort
May 11 – Hinton, OK @ Sugar Creek Casino
May 17 – Riverside, IA @ Riverside Casino and Golf Resort
May 18 – Larchwood, IA @ Grand Falls Casino Resort
May 23 – Charenton, LA @ Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel

Tucker Beathard To Rev Up New Ride On Tour This Spring

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Tucker Beathard, now a newly-signed Warner Music Nashville artist, is heading back out on the road in February for his RIDE ON 2019 TOUR, which will kick off in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 22 and run through April 13.

“The past four years of my life have mainly been spent on the road, so for me, it’s where I feel most at home” said Beathard. “I think it’s going to be even more exciting this time around with the first half of the double album out there and having the music I’ve wanted the fans to hear, to tour behind. I see touring as a way to connect with fans one by one and I can’t wait to get going!”

The dates will be the fans first chance to hear songs from the first installment of Beathard’s debut double album, Nobody’s Everything, live. Tickets for the tour will go on sale beginning Jan. 25 at 10am local time at tuckerbeathard.com.

RIDE ON 2019 TOUR Official Dates:
2/22  Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s
2/23  Raleigh, NC – City Limits Saloon
3/1    Macon, GA – The Crazy Bull
3/2    Valdosta, GA – Bluewater Bar & Grill
3/7    Pittsburgh, PA – Tequila Cowboy
3/8    Columbus, OH – Tequila Cowboy
3/9    Lansing, MI – Tequila Cowboy
4/10  New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
4/11  Boston, MA – Loretta’s Last Call
4/13  Annapolis, MD – Union Jack’s Annapolis

Songwriters Sarah Buxton, Laura Veltz Added To NSAI Board Of Directors

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Sarah Buxton, Laura Veltz

Songwriters Sarah Buxton and Laura Veltz have been elected as new members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) Board of Directors.

Current board members who were re-elected to two-year terms include Jim Beavers, Nicolle Galyon, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Rivers Rutherford, Anthony L. Smith, Bobby Tomberlin, Troy Verges and Danny Wells.

Roger Brown and Lee Thomas Miller were elected to one-year terms as “Legislative Co-Chairs,” Rhett Akins and Caitlyn Smith were re-elected to one-year terms to the “Artist Writer” board positions and Brett James was re-elected to a one-year term to the “Industry Liaison” position.

They join existing board members Tony Arata, NSAI President Steve Bogard, Jeff Cohen, Corey Crowder, Chris DeStefano, Ben Glover, Connie Harrington, Byron Hill, Liz Rose, Jenn Schott, and Jimmy Yeary whose terms expire in 2020.

NSAI Board elections happen in two phases and include voting by the NSAI Professional Songwriter Membership and appointments by the NSAI Board of Directors. The board terms begin each year at the May meeting.

Cumberland Music Collective Acquires KCA Artists

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Cumberland Music Collective has acquired Nashville music agency, KCA Artists. CMC will continue to book acts such as The Seldom Scene, Radney Foster, Blue Highway, and The Fairfield Four, in addition to greatly diversifying their roster. New additions to the roster include rapper Twista, R&B powerhouse Nivea, and female vocal group Danity Kane.
“With CMC, we now have an opportunity to create a larger tent; offering many different styles of music to a wider audience. This will be a new kind of touring music company that we expect will offer opportunities for unlimited growth; for both artists and agents alike for years to come,” says Lee Olsen, President and Senior Agent at Cumberland Music Collective.
In addition to Olsen, the existing team from KCA is staying on board. Andrew Bestick will continue as an agent in addition to his new role of Vice President. Case’s former Agent Assistant, Jess Mosby, will have her own roster as an agent at CMC. Rounding out the team is Agent Assistant, Anna Dietz.
Cumberland Music Collective Roster:
Blue Highway
Danity Kane
Dumblonde
Ellis Dyson & The Shambles
J Holiday
June’s Diary
Maybe April
Mike Henderson
Mike Jones
Nivea
Oliver Bates Craven
Omarion
Post Road
Radney Foster
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
SHEL
The Campbell Brothers
The Fairfield Four
The Mulligan Brothers
The Seldom Scene
The Slocan Ramblers
Twista
Zach DuBois

Reviver Publishing Signs Multi-Instrumental Songwriter And Producer Alex Kline

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC Vice President Creative Services Shannan Hatch, Reviver Publishing consultant Clay Myers, Reviver Founder/CEO David Ross, Alex Cline, Reviver President Gator Michaels, Reviver Publishing/A&R consultant Carol-Ann Mobley and SESAC Writer Representative Lydia Schultz.

The Reviver Entertainment Group has signed songwriter and producer Alex Kline to its publishing division. Kline served as co-producer on Australian artist Adam Brand’s No. 1 country album Get On Your Feet, and co-wrote Ronnie Dunn’s 2016 single “Damn Drunk.” Kline has also produced for and written with country music stalwarts such as Rascal Flatts, Reba, Bill Anderson, Mason Ramsey and others.

“We are thrilled to have Alex join the Reviver Publishing team,” says Reviver CEO David Ross. “She is a student of the songwriting craft, and her abilities as a multi-instrumentalist bring us another element in terms of producing and arranging. We have been following Alex’s work for a while now, and are very excited to work with her.”

A native of Marin County, California, Kline moved to Nashville in 2008 after attending The Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was in Nashville that Kline became a founding member of Sony Nashville all-female band The Lunabelles. Over the subsequent years, Kline built up her songwriting and producing skills by working on projects for Terri Clark, Tara Thompson, John King, Maggie Rose and Jon Langston.

Kline is currently working alongside CMT for their Artist Discovery initiative as a producer for their emerging artists.

Before the Christmas holiday break, Kline performed at Reviver Entertainment Group’s Reviver Fest 2018 in St. Petersburg.

CMA Reveals Triple Play Awards Recipients

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The Country Music Association has revealed the recipients of the 10th annual CMA Triple Play Awards, an honor presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

In total, 10 songwriters will receive trophies this year: Luke Combs, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne and Thomas Rhett.

Galyon will host a special CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank performance, taking place Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville at 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM) and also featuring Combs, Gorley, Kear, McGill and Osborne. Tickets range in price from $30 – 50 and are on sale now at CMAsongwritersseries.com. In celebration of the Triple Play Awards, $3 of each ticket sold will benefit the CMA Foundation, CMA’s philanthropic arm, which is committed to improving and sustaining high quality music education programs across the country.

The CMA Songwriters Series presented by U.S. Bank performance will follow a private industry-only luncheon where recipients will be awarded their trophies on Feb. 19, hosted by Troy Tomlinson, CMA Board member and Sony/ATV Music Publishing President and CEO.

The 10th annual CMA Triple Play Awards recipients are being recognized for the following:

Luke Combs
“Hurricane”
“When It Rains It Pours”
“One Number Away”

Jesse Frasure
“Unforgettable,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Marry Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Life Changes,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Nicolle Galyon
“All the Pretty Girls,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Tequila,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Coming Home,” recorded by Keith Urban ft. Julia Michaels

Ashley Gorley
“Fix A Drink,” recorded by Chris Janson
“Marry Me,” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Life Changes,” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Tyler Hubbard
“Meant to Be,” recorded by Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
“You Make It Easy,” recorded by Jason Aldean
“Simple,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line

Josh Kear
“God, Your Mama, And Me,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line ft. Backstreet Boys
“Most People Are Good,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Woman, Amen,” recorded by Dierks Bentley

Shane McAnally
“Written in the Sand,” recorded by Old Dominion
“Marry Me,” written by Thomas Rhett
“Get Along,” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Chase McGill
“Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Break Up in the End,” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Lose It,” recorded by Kane Brown

Josh Osborne
“Drinkin’ Problem,” recorded by Midland
“All the Pretty Girls,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Get Along,” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Thomas Rhett
“Unforgettable”
“Marry Me”
“Life Changes”

Metro Nashville Public Schools, CCMG Partner On New Bonus Tracks Program

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Capitol Christian Music Group and Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School have launched a new partnership, Bonus Tracks, that will provide 20 students access to the inner-workings of a major label. EJ Gaines, co-executive director, Motown Gospel and vice president of marketing, Capitol Christian Music Group Nashville, and school administrators were on hand to officially announce the new course, which will expose students to opportunities waiting for them on the other side of high school. The program’s first class begins in February.

A nine-week extracurricular course, Bonus Tracks will provide students a direct connection to the music industry and will be hosted at Capitol Christian Music Group’s Nashville facility. Students will learn first-hand the role of a modern record label in today’s new age of music by meeting weekly with executives from all areas of the industry: creative, marketing, commercial partnerships and promotion.

“I am appreciative that the Nashville business community continues to reach into our schools to guide and inspire our future work force,” said Dr. Shawn Joseph, MNPS director of schools. “This partnership will share authentic and creative work experiences with our students to help them see what is possible after graduation.”

“We are thrilled to be expanding Bonus Tracks program into the Nashville market in partnership with our Capitol Christian Music Group team,” said Brian Nolan, senior vice president at Capitol Music Group and co-creator of Bonus Tracks. “We have seen first-hand the power that Bonus Tracks has demonstrated in the development of students’ success in their high school and how it creates a pathway to a future career in the music industry.”

If the Bonus Tracks pilot program is successful, MNPS and Capitol Music Group look to expand it to other Metro Schools.

Bill Anderson’s Longtime Companion Vickie Salas Dies

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Vickie Salas and Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson‘s longtime companion Vickie Salas died Wednesday (Jan. 16) at age 66, following a battle with cancer.

According to a Facebook post from Anderson, he and Salas first met when she was 19 and married to his guitar player. After the couple divorced, Salas moved back to Michigan, remarried and spent the next nearly 20 years in Washington, D.C.

“We didn’t stay in touch, but when that marriage collapsed, she moved back to Tennessee to be near her two sons. The day she got to town, my picture was on the front page of our local morning newspaper,” Anderson said in a Facebook post. “She saw it, and it prompted her to call me and ask how my former wife, Becky, and I were doing. She did not know that we, too, had gone our separate ways 10 years earlier.”

The two reconnected over dinner, “and that was almost 12 very short and very wonderful years ago,” he says. “We never married, we never lived together, but she became my everything from that moment forward.”

Salas was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and began receiving hospice care earlier this month.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way. She was 15 years younger than me. The roles were supposed to have been reversed. She was supposed to be sitting at the side of MY bed feeding ME soup and ice cream, not the other way around,” Anderson said. “I have a lot of faith and I believe God’s hand is in everything that happens in this old world, BUT … The first thing I’m going to do when I get to Heaven is ask Him to explain this one to me. Because right now, I just don’t understand.”

“She was the kindest, gentlest, classiest, most compassionate, giving and loving person I have every known,” Anderson said. “Rest In Peace my sweet, wonderful, beautiful, and oh so special lady. I will miss you forever.”

Salas’ funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.